(From GSL / Sept. 2015)
John 16:13
When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own but will tell you of things to come.
I have trouble with this verse....
I have a problem with this verse...
What's my problem?
Either it's true......or it's not.
I think maybe it IS true.
That being the case, why do we not rely on this behavior of the Holy Spirit.
Why do we look to others to tell us what we think we should know?
Not discounting the words or insight given by God to others, but we seemed to have become a people who act on what others tell us, or have written in a book, or have sent out on a download or Cd.
I do believe that God speaks...
But our job, when we hear someone else declare what God has said, is to hear God for ourselves.
We never, never, never should take as the gospel truth the words of others without seeking confirmation from God.
Don't ever take what is written here or what you may have heard me say in a meeting, until you have tested it for yourself. Weigh it. Discern it. Sift it. And let God either confirm or deny what you have heard or read.
Seems to me that the office of prophet has come back in vogue. Actually it never left, but it seems to have garnered some popularity.
Several voices out there claiming to occupy the office of prophet.
Several voices out there giving prophetic words.
People hear these words.
People grow fearful and began to act according to the fear has come upon them.
Let's take a look at how the prophetic works.
Now before I go any farther, let me say that I do believe that God raises people to speak on His behalf. I am in no way speaking against those who act in such a manner.
in the Old Testament, God sent specific individuals to speak of the need to repent, to listen and follow the instructions He was giving. To not do so usually resulted in judgment coming to the nation. Why would God speak in this manner? Because not everyone had His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was given only to those God deemed necessary to direct His people, Israel. The Holy Spirit would come upon a Jeremiah, or a Isaiah. Malachi, Amos, Jonah, Samuel....and the list goes on and on. But bottom line was that the Holy Spirit was only available to those God chose to give Him to.
Fast forward to the New Testament.
Acts Chapter 2....
Day of Pentecost.
Did you ever open a jar of pickles?
The "Whoosh" of air as the lid is taken off...
The breaking of the vacuum seal.
It was kind of like this when the Holy Spirit entered into our "Vacuum" time and space.
Remember those present in the upper room described it as a mighty, rushing wind.
God twisted off the top of our jar and the emptiness was filled with His presence.
What does all this mean?
It means that we all have access to God's Holy Spirit.
As such, we should be a people not driven by fear and words...
We should be a people who, when we hear a prophetic word, should be down on our face seeking God to confirm what it is we should be doing.
We are not to be a people driven by fear.
Fear causes us to be selfish and seek only our own comfort and protection.
Fear drives....
The Holy Spirit informs and leads.
Quiet a difference, wouldn't you say?
Don't allow yourself to be caught up in the many words that are being spoken by well meaning people about the future. Seek God for yourself and ask Him to reveal what it is you should be doing.
Time for us to seek God in ways we never have before.
Think on this today...
Chew on it and ask God to show you truth...
God on you...
Michael b.
When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own but will tell you of things to come.
I have trouble with this verse....
I have a problem with this verse...
What's my problem?
Either it's true......or it's not.
I think maybe it IS true.
That being the case, why do we not rely on this behavior of the Holy Spirit.
Why do we look to others to tell us what we think we should know?
Not discounting the words or insight given by God to others, but we seemed to have become a people who act on what others tell us, or have written in a book, or have sent out on a download or Cd.
I do believe that God speaks...
But our job, when we hear someone else declare what God has said, is to hear God for ourselves.
We never, never, never should take as the gospel truth the words of others without seeking confirmation from God.
Don't ever take what is written here or what you may have heard me say in a meeting, until you have tested it for yourself. Weigh it. Discern it. Sift it. And let God either confirm or deny what you have heard or read.
Seems to me that the office of prophet has come back in vogue. Actually it never left, but it seems to have garnered some popularity.
Several voices out there claiming to occupy the office of prophet.
Several voices out there giving prophetic words.
People hear these words.
People grow fearful and began to act according to the fear has come upon them.
Let's take a look at how the prophetic works.
Now before I go any farther, let me say that I do believe that God raises people to speak on His behalf. I am in no way speaking against those who act in such a manner.
in the Old Testament, God sent specific individuals to speak of the need to repent, to listen and follow the instructions He was giving. To not do so usually resulted in judgment coming to the nation. Why would God speak in this manner? Because not everyone had His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was given only to those God deemed necessary to direct His people, Israel. The Holy Spirit would come upon a Jeremiah, or a Isaiah. Malachi, Amos, Jonah, Samuel....and the list goes on and on. But bottom line was that the Holy Spirit was only available to those God chose to give Him to.
Fast forward to the New Testament.
Acts Chapter 2....
Day of Pentecost.
Did you ever open a jar of pickles?
The "Whoosh" of air as the lid is taken off...
The breaking of the vacuum seal.
It was kind of like this when the Holy Spirit entered into our "Vacuum" time and space.
Remember those present in the upper room described it as a mighty, rushing wind.
God twisted off the top of our jar and the emptiness was filled with His presence.
What does all this mean?
It means that we all have access to God's Holy Spirit.
As such, we should be a people not driven by fear and words...
We should be a people who, when we hear a prophetic word, should be down on our face seeking God to confirm what it is we should be doing.
We are not to be a people driven by fear.
Fear causes us to be selfish and seek only our own comfort and protection.
Fear drives....
The Holy Spirit informs and leads.
Quiet a difference, wouldn't you say?
Don't allow yourself to be caught up in the many words that are being spoken by well meaning people about the future. Seek God for yourself and ask Him to reveal what it is you should be doing.
Time for us to seek God in ways we never have before.
Think on this today...
Chew on it and ask God to show you truth...
God on you...
Michael b.
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